Quirky shopping guide
Transcription
Quirky shopping guide
Introduction Do you ever feel that shopping nowadays can sometimes seem a little, well, bland? With high streets everywhere being dominated by the same big chains, finding something unique or out of the ordinary can be a real challenge. If edgy and original are more your thing than the humdrum and everyday, then browsing through East London’s exciting selection of vibrant street markets and independent, one-of-a-kind shops should be right up your street. 1 Brick Lane Market Columbia Road Market Old Spitalfields Market Petticoat Lane Market 2 Columbia Road Market See enlarged area map 2 65 Columbia Road Market London Eastside has long been a hotbed of creativity and innovation. The area was originally settled by successive waves of immigrants, from French silk-makers and Irish weavers to Jewish traders and Bangladeshi garment-factory workers – each of whom brought their own skills, traditions and flair to create a dynamic, multifarious mix. This is still very much in evidence and today’s eclectic range of designers, artists, jewellers, milliners, haberdashers, tailors, booksellers and others make this one of the city’s most lively and diverse places to visit, eat and shop. 87 86 108 60 51 114 69 53 106 111 130 144 72 140 52 97 82 95 56 47 104 142 54 75 73 44 3 Canary Wharf Area 1 58 132 74 102 40 13 42 48 88 47 2 64 31 129 101 91 45 43 93 84 36 39 38 18 19 29 125 85 70 77 119 49 3 10 55 68 DL R 21 17 15 128 11 30 147 71 107 76 20 143 146 57 66 99 9 81 50 7 23 105 63 How to use the Quirky Shopping Guide 123 117 34 67 109 98 27 8 5 With so many tempting shopping opportunities to be found within the Quirky Shopping Guide, it’s difficult to know where to start! So, to help you better plan your retail blitz, we’ve included some handy street maps of London Eastside’s main shopping areas. You’ll find these maps by folding out the inside back cover. 37 35 4 96 26596 16 124138 41 24 33 Shopping Mall 25 Brick Lane Market 22 46 135 120 100 Old Spitalfields Market 127 59 139 32 131 122 Petticoat Lane Market To make it easier for you to locate the shops you’re particularly interested in, we’ve given each one a reference number. This is clearly displayed in the coloured dot to the right of each shop’s name, along with a corresponding map number on which you’ll find the shop’s physical location. Simply turn to the map in question, find the numbered dot… and away you go. See next page 4 R 2 DL WORDS: JAMES LITSTON 89 83 133 136 12 80 79 Whether you prefer the banter and commotion of the famously colourful street markets; the style and panache of an independent boutique or design studio; or the air-conditioned comfort of Canary Wharf’s indoor mall, you’ll find a world of temptations and must-have creations throughout London Eastside. And no matter if you’re looking for a vintage frock, a new hair style, organic groceries, a designer sofa or even the latest cutting-edge fashions, you’re sure to find whatever you’re looking for – and more – with the help of the Quirky Shopping Guide. To make the maps more user-friendly, each dot is colour coordinated to reflect the section in which the listing appears – so if the shop you’re trying to locate on the map is a fashion store, you’ll know to only look for the bright pink dots. Simple! 134 103 115 78 61 94 92 116 112 90 1 110 X Number refers to Shop entry in main guide 3 Fashion 02 Vintage 15 Accessories 19 Furniture, homewares & design 24 Galleries 37 Food 40 Gifts, gadgets & handicrafts 45 Books, maps and music 50 Gardening, outdoor & adventure 52 Treatments, therapies & beauty 55 Shopping districts and markets index, maps 60 70 Fashion With a spectrum encompassing cutting-edge and experimental through to ethnic, bespoke and bigname brands, you’ll never be stuck for something to wear in London Eastside. 123 MAP 1 1 High fashion goes hand-in-hand with ethical principles at this ‘sustainable fashion concept store’, where recycled and reconditioned textiles (ie. old clothes) are modernised and transformed into thoroughly eye-catching, one-of-a-kind pieces that are at once both directional yet surprisingly wearable. Shops just don’t come any quirkier. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 123 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG 020 7729 8315 www.123bethnalgreenroad.co.uk 12pm-7pm, Tues-Sat 12pm-6pm, Sun 127 MAP 1 2 Who says fashion has to come at a price? By carefully sourcing items from both past and present collections, this stylish boutique makes haute couture accessible to any budget. Expect to find ready-to-wear and accessories from such edgy designers as Martin Margiela, Balenciaga and Rick Owens. Address: Tel: Open: 2| 127 Brick Lane, E1 6SB 020 7729 6320 11.30am-7pm, daily a-non brand MAP 1 3 There’s a musical theme at this (mostly menswear) store, where T-shirts and hoodies come emblazoned with retro designs inspired by wellknown punk, ska and reggae album covers - plus some more contemporary images of graffiti artworks for those too young to appreciate the nostalgia! Address: Tel: Open: 26 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7729 2144 10am-7pm, daily Aarong MAP 1 4 If you’re shopping in the heart of Banglatown, you might as well dress for the occasion! Aarong is the most prestigious clothing brand in Bangladesh, offering cotton and silk saris, salwar-kameez and other Bengali garments in a dazzling kaleidoscope of bold, bright colours. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 69 Vallance Road, E1 5BS 020 7247 7727 www.aaronglondon.com 10.30am-7pm, Mon-Sat 10.30am-6pm, Sun Alexander Boyd MAP 1 5 Fly in the face of throwaway fashion and go for the bespoke look instead. Tailored shirts come with Australian mother-of-pearl buttons, the finest Italian and Swiss fabrics and a choice of cuffs and collars. There’s also an off-the-peg selection, plus accessories including hand-made ties and shoes. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 52-54 Artillery Passage, E1 7LS 020 7377 8755 www.alexanderboyd.co.uk 8.30am-7.30pm, Mon-Fri Saturday by appointment |3 Behave MAP 1 6 Want to nail that distinctive Shoreditch ‘look’? Then head to this super-cool boutique for its eclectic mix of retro-inspired and cutting-edge men’s and women’s fashions. Behave specialises in designer denims and lines from hard-to-find Nordic and other international brands like Sparks and Cheap Monday. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 14 HanburyStreet, E1 6QR 020 7375 1623 www.behavelondon.com 11am-7pm, daily Bodas MAP 1 7 Girls: head here for simple, practical underwear that’s both understated and sexy in equal measure. Staple lines and seasonal styles come in high-quality silk, cotton and lace – though don’t miss the everpopular, barely-there Sheer Mesh collection that combines invisibility and unrivalled support to spectacular effect. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 43 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7655 0958 www.bodas.co.uk 10.30am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri 10.30am-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Buckler MAP 1 8 Having made it big in the USA, British designer Andrew Buckler has returned to his roots with this, his first store on home turf. Specialising in ‘classic menswear with a twist’, the Buckler brand encompasses suits, shirts, jumpers, jeans, cashmere knits and made-to-measure suits. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 4| 35 Artillery Lane, E1 7LP 020 7377 2767 www.andrewbuckler.com 11am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 12pm-5pm, Sun Chica MAP 1 9 Unleash your inner princess at this gorgeous and utterly girlie boutique, where the emphasis is on bright colours, fantastic fabrics and dressing to impress. Make the ultimate style statement with Chica’s beautifully feminine designs in daring bubblegum shades – rounded off with some seriously show-stopping accessories. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 14 Market Street, E1 6DT 020 7247 9700 www.chicaboutiqueonline.com 11am-7pm, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun Dragana Perisic MAP 1 10 Serbian-born Dragana designs and creates beautifully-crafted, timeless clothes known for their individuality, obsessive detailing and extreme versatility – making every item a work of art. Look out for the Suffolk puffs (a Dragana trademark) that adorn most pieces, plus her fabulous H-bags and hand-made, silk and silver jewellery. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 30 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7739 4484 www.draganaperisic.com 10am-6pm, Tue-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun |5 Folk MAP 1 11 It’s all about the detailing at this menswear store, where simple, everyday clothes are given innovative and playful twists (think cotton shirts with geometric elbow patches, stitched shoulder panels or quirky button fastenings) to create a colourful yet understated collection that’s functional, stylish and highly individual. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 11 Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 6QL 020 7375 2844 www.folkclothing.com 11am-7pm, Mon-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun Future Vintage MAP 2 12 Unlike other second-hand stores and their retrospectives of decades gone by, Future Vintage specialises in current classics – the ‘vintage of tomorrow’. Stock is always seasonal and replenished on a weekly basis, with pieces by Jil Sander, Marc Jacobs and other top designers being in high demand. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 98 Columbia Road, E2 7QB 020 7729 2197 www.future-vintage.co.uk 12pm-5pm, Sat 9.30am-3pm, Sun Hostem MAP 1 13 This new menswear store on hip and happening Redchurch Street features luxe streetwear and avant-garde design splashed across three separate rooms. With designers as edgy as Ann Demeulemeester, Philip Lim, Rick Owens and Julius, this is the ultimate destination boutique for guys with their fingers on fashion’s pulse. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 6| 41-43 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ 020 7739 9733 www.hostem.co.uk 11am-7pm, Tue-Sat 12pm-5pm, Sun Jakss MAP 4 14 Make yours the best-dressed kids in town! Jakss stocks high-end designer children’s clothes, including well-known brands like Hugo Boss, Armani and DKNY. From Burberry baby-grows to mini Juicy Couture tracksuits, Jakss caters for kids of all ages – be they newborns or even the most fashion-conscious of teens. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 469 Roman Road, E3 5LX 020 8981 2233 www.jakss.co.uk 10am-5.30pm, Tue-Sat Junky Styling MAP 1 15 Recycling has never been this creative. Junky Styling gives old clothes a whole new lease of life, turning men’s jackets into corset dresses and suit sleeves into scarves. The design ethic may be slightly wacky, but the results are original, inspired and utterly wearable. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 12 Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 6RF 020 7247 1883 www.junkystyling.co.uk 11am-7pm, daily |7 Keep Zero Gravity MAP 1 16 Is it a dress? Is it a cape? No, it’s the incredible 25.50 by Ioanna Kourbela – an extraordinarily versatile garment that can be worn in 25 different ways. It’s also this stylish store’s signature piece, alongside Kourbela’s elegant knitwear and some fearsome wedges by Atalanta Weller. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 20 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR 020 7247 5553 www.keepzerogravity.co.uk 11am-7pm, daily The Laden Showroom MAP 1 17 Definitely one for the fashionista, this extensive showroom carries stock from more than fifty emerging design talents, both from Britain and around the world. Shop here for cutting-edge clothing, jewellery and accessories from such up-and-coming designers as Max C, Jam and Emily & Fin. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 103 Brick Lane, E1 6SE 020 7247 2431 www.laden.co.uk 11am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 10.30am-6pm, Sun The Lazy Ones MAP 1 18 Get a uniquely London ‘look’ at this funky womenswear boutique, which stocks an eclectic selection of knitwear, maxi-dresses, party frocks and other one-off designs that are all made locally under in-house label, Des Moines. The shop also features a collection of heavy-duty, vintage 90’s boots. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 8| 102 Sclater Street, E1 6HR 07812 957 276 www.thelazyones.co.uk 11am-7pm, Wed-Sun lik + neon MAP 1 19 More of a micro department store than a shop, LIK+NEON bills itself as ‘a one-stop shop for originals and music’, featuring limited edition clothing, jewellery, accessories and tote bags, plus prints and greetings cards from emerging artists and experimental electronic music on CD and vinyl. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 106 Sclater Street, E1 6HR 020 7729 4650 www.likneon.com 11am-7pm, Mon-Sat 11am-6.30pm, Sun Lulu and Lush MAP 1 20 Underwear comes with guaranteed va-va-voom at this seriously sexy boutique. From silk camisoles and saucy robes to designer lingerie and beautifully-made, burlesque-style corsets, every item in this decadent shop exudes sex appeal by the bucket-load. There’s also a great selection of gorgeous, glamorous eveningwear. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 15 Lamb Street, E1 6EA 020 7377 0370 www.luluandlush.com 11am-6pm, Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Mags & Pye Boutique MAP 1 21 Drawing on the local area for their inspiration, the five designers behind this independent womenswear boutique create inspiring and innovative clothes that are glamorous, feminine and fun. The same is true of their bangles, belts and bags, plus killer heels from own-label Duke & Duchess. Address: Tel: Open: 164 Brick Lane, E1 6RU 020 7247 9220 11am-6pm, Tue-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat-Sun |9 Mendoza MAP 1 22 Specialising in reproduction vintage menswear, Mendoza is the place to come for Fred Perry-style polo’s, button-down shirts and collarless monkey jackets. The individual range is a celebration of 1960’s mod culture, with a selection of genuine vintage articles to perfectly complete the collection. Address: Tel: Open: 158 Brick Lane, E1 6RU 020 7377 5263 11am-6pm daily The Menu MAP 1 23 ‘Smart casual’ menswear is what’s on the menu at this stylish boutique. Jeans, scarves, jackets and polo shirts are cherry-picked from a range of British and international designers (including Paul Smith, Nicole Farhi, John Smedley and Fred Perry) to provide a classic, very wearable selection. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 45 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7539 9269 www.shopmenu.co.uk 11am-7pm, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun Nicolerenee MAP 1 24 Be a million dollar bride in a made-to-measure couture gown from this renowned mother-anddaughter team. Either choose (or adapt) a dress from their range of unique designs; or create a oneoff masterpiece to your own specifications. Sumptuous fabrics, beautiful beading and stylish accessories complete the look. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 10 | 4 Puma Court, E1 6QG 07961 180 949 www.nicolerenee.co.uk by appointment only Oh Baby London MAP 1 25 Fashion’s not just for grown-ups. Oh Baby’s fabulously anarchic children’s wear epitomises Brick Lane’s counter-culture spirit. Playsuits, T-shirts and dresses come in funky designs and colours (think rock-n-roll for boys, lipstick-pink for girls) and splashed with too-cute slogans like the signature ‘Been Inside For 9 Months’. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 162 Brick Lane, E1 6RU 020 7247 4949 www.ohbabylondon.com 10am-6pm daily Olga de Polga MAP 1 26 Vintage styles are given a modern makeover at this kitsch and colourful boutique, which combines contemporary cuts and tailoring with sensual fabrics in floral prints and dazzling hues. The result is a fun, light-hearted and thoroughly unique collection of rainbow-bright womenswear with a delightfully retro feel. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 4 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR 020 7377 6851 www.olgadepolga.co.uk 11am-7pm, daily Precious MAP 1 27 This super-chic boutique showcases an exquisite selection of womenswear from such covetable brands as Diane von Furstenberg and McQ. Owner Kate Evans – who previously bought for Harvey Nichols – has clearly lost none of her fashion flair, hand-selecting the very best elements of each designer’s seasonal collections. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 16 Artillery Passage, E1 7LJ 020 7377 6668 www.precious-london.com 11am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat | 11 Rockafella MAP 4 28 Rather like a condensed version of Carnaby Street, this menswear boutique stocks selected streetwear from a wide range cult brands, including Franklin & Marshall sweats, Chunk printed Ts and items from Firetrap, Replay, Denham and Diesel – with a similar take on womenswear available in Blush next door. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 79-81 Roman Road, E2 0QN 020 8981 5934 www.rockafella.co.uk 10am-6pm, Mon-Wed 10am-6.30pm, Thu-Sat 12pm-4pm, Sun Shop 172 MAP 1 29 For genuinely edgy, directional fashions, look no further than this tiny boutique specialising in emerging international designers (including several graduates from Central St Martin’s). Expect geometric cardigans, stringy neckpieces and superbaggy jeans, plus some exclusive men’s and women’s footwear you won’t find anywhere else. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 172 Brick Lane, E1 6RU 020 7650 8873 www.shop172.com 12.30pm-7pm, Mon-Fri 11am-7pm, Sat-Sun Son of a Stag MAP 1 30 This destination denim boutique specialises in hardto-find Japanese, American and other international brands like Edwin, Kuro, Spellbound, Gilded Age and Levi’s Vintage. Jeans too long? Have yours taken up and professionally re-hemmed on the store’s vintage, chain-stitch sewing machine to achieve the perfect fit. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 12 | 9 Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, E1 6QL 020 7247 3333 www.sonofastag.co.uk 11am-7pm, Mon-Tue 11am-7.30pm, Wed-Fri 10.30am-7pm, Sat-Sun Sunspel MAP 1 31 Founded in 1860 and best known for introducing boxer shorts to the UK (no, really!), Sunspel celebrated its 150th birthday by opening this, its first London store. Expect traditional, quintessentially English menswear such as the classic Riviera polo shirts as worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 7 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ 020 7739 9729 www.sunspel.com 11am-7pm, Mon-Sat 12am-6pm, Sun Therapy Menswear MAP 1 32 There’s a definite feel of 80’s revival at Therapy, an emporium of men’s urban/streetwear that’s big on the skaterboy look. Old-school brands like Sergio Tacchini sit alongside GioGoi hoodies, Adidas trainers and Franklin & Marshall T’s – plus there’s always a clearance section offering mega-deals. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 119-121 Middlesex Street, E1 7JF (also at 58 Commercial Street, E1 6LT) 020 7377 1838 www.designertherapy.com 10.30am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 10.30am-3.30pm, Sun | 13 Timberland Boot Company MAP 1 33 Quality, authenticity and classic design are the hallmarks of this specialist shop’s robust footwear, whose merchandise strikes a happy balance between modern manufacture and traditional craftsmanship. The building is an attraction in itself; an abandoned warehouse brought back to life as a unique, individual concept store. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 1 Fournier Street, E1 6QE 020 7377 6941 www.timberlandbootcompany.co.uk 9.30am-6pm, Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Traffic People MAP 1 34 Inject some old-school glamour into your wardrobe at this dressing-up box of a shop, where elegant, feminine designs come with intricate detailing and guaranteed wow-factor. Floaty blouse dresses, gorgeous ruffle tops and knockout, box-cut shifts provide a dressy, grown-up look for the clued-up girl about town. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 14 | 61-63 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA (also at 10 Dray Walk, E1 6QL) 020 7247 9377 www.trafficpeople.co.uk 11am-6pm, daily Vintage Immerse yourself in the East End’s signature ‘vintage’ vibe with a rummage through these treasure troves of nearly new fashions. Absolute Vintage MAP 1 35 One of the area’s very first vintage emporiums, Absolute Vintage features a vast selection of previously-owned treasures – with everything colour coordinated to make shopping easier. Visit on the first Sunday of every month to browse the rails to the sounds of an all-day DJ. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 15 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR 020 7247 3883 www.absolutevintage.co.uk 12pm-7pm, Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun Beyond Retro MAP 1 36 London’s largest vintage clothing retailer occupies a 5,000-square-foot warehouse packed with over 15,000 competitively-priced items – with hundreds more added to the shop floor each day. Stock ranges from Victorian frocks through to beaded 1920’s flapper dresses, 50’s prom dresses, 60’s shifts and garish 70’s jumpsuits. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 110-112 Cheshire Street, E2 6EJ 020 7613 3636 www.beyondretro.com 10am-7pm, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun | 15 Blondie MAP 1 37 As Absolute Vintage’s smarter, dressier sister store, Blondie is the place to come for high-end designer goods from big names like Dior, Gucci, Chanel and Vuitton. In addition to beaded gowns and 1980’s party frocks, look for Hermès scarves, crocodile shoes and big, big sunglasses. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 114-118 Commercial Street, E1 6NF 020 7247 0050 www.absolutevintage.co.uk 11am-7pm, daily The Brick Lane Thrift Store MAP 1 38 Pop into this selective second-hand store for patterned jumpers, denim shirts, baseball jackets, fake fur coats and sparkly, beaded 1980’s knits – all at extremely reasonable prices. For an even wider selection, check out much larger sister shop The East End Thrift Store over in Whitechapel. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 68 Sclater Street, E1 6HR (also Assembly Passage, E1 4UT) 020 7739 0242 www.theeastendthriftstore.com 12pm-7pm, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun Dirty Blonde MAP 1 39 Everything at this specialist vintage store - from women’s and men’s clothing to all kinds of accessories and shoes - is well-priced and in almost mint condition. The collection is particularly strong on old-school Converse All Star trainers, sheepskin coats, silk scarves and women’s boots. Address: Tel: Open: 16 | 68a Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7033 2082 11am-7pm, Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun (closed Tue-Wed) Hunky Dory MAP 1 40 This smart vintage store carries an inspiring selection of clothes, bags and accessories from yesteryear, spanning everything from the 30’s to the 1980’s. Top buys include retro cycling jerseys, skinny 50’s ties, tailored Teddy-Boy-style drape jackets and a good range of women’s leather boots. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 226 Brick Lane, E1 6SA 020 7729 7387 www.hunkydoryvintage.com 11.30am-6.30pm, Tue-Sun Hurwundeki MAP 1 41 This exclusive and unusual boutique marries beautiful vintage pieces from all over the world with a collection of own-label clothing that’s designed in East London. Exposed brickwork, rough wooden floors and clever, recycled shop fittings bestow the delicate clothing and quality accessories with additional panache. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 98 Commercial Street, E1 6LZ 020 7392 9194 www.hurwundeki.com 11am-7.30pm, Mon-Fri 10am-7.30pm, Sat-Sun Speedie’s MAP 1 42 Few vintage stores capture the essence of ‘time warp’ as masterfully as Speedie’s. Dubbed ‘the bedsit that time forgot’ by Time Out magazine, the shop is known for its museumquality collection of furniture, electrical and audio equipment, with possibly the best range of record players in town. Address: Tel: Open: 81 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ 020 7739 4798 11am-7pm daily | 17 The Shop MAP 1 43 In addition to a wonderful and unique selection of quality vintage textiles and haberdashery, this eclectic showroom offers a very personal collection of well-priced womenswear featuring everything from Victorian frocks and mink stoles to 80’s mohair jumpers; plus napkins, tablecloths and aprons for the home. Address: Tel: Open: 1-3 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7739 5631 11am-6pm, Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun This Shop Rocks MAP 1 44 Anyone with a penchant for the fashions of yesteryear will love this treasure trove of carefully selected womenswear from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. With options ranging from glamorous gowns and frilly prom dresses to printed rayons and kitsch crepe skirts, this shop really does rock. Address: Tel: Open: 131 Brick Lane, E1 6SE 020 7739 7667 11am-7pm daily The Vintage Emporium & Coffee House MAP 1 45 With its extensive collection of lacy blouses, dainty parasols and battered leather doctors’ bags, the Vintage Emporium is ostensibly a celebration of Victoriana, though its merchandise spans all the way through to the 1940’s. The nostalgic theme is equally apparent in the antique-filled tea-room upstairs. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 18 | 14 Bacon Street, E1 6LF 020 7739 0799 www.vintageemporiumcafe.com Shop: 10am-7pm, daily Café: 10am-10pm, daily Accessories Hand-made hats, bags, jewellery and more – these original, super-stylish accessories will add some distinctively East End flair to any outfit. @Work MAP 1 46 Known as one of London’s best contemporary jewellery outlets, award-winning @Work features original, well-made and surprisingly affordable jewellery for both men and women. The gallery showcases the work of many different individual designers with a strong emphasis on bright, fun and thoroughly innovative styles. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 156 Brick Lane, E1 6RU 020 7377 0597 www.atworkgallery.co.uk 11am-6pm, Mon-Sat 12.30pm-5.30pm, Sun Ally Capellino MAP 1 47 Striking a perfect balance between timeless and modern, Ally Capellino’s designs are classic, simple and unquestionably stylish. Holdalls, washbags, totes and purses come in durable waxed cotton or the softest Italian leather – fabrics that look better with age, in designs that are made to last. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 9 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP 020 7613 3073 www.allycapellino.co.uk 12pm-6pm, Tue-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun | 19 Bernstock Speirs MAP 1 48 Paul Bernstock and Thelma Speirs have been turning feathers and felt into fabulous yet functional hats for over 25 years. Classic trilbies and knitted bobblehats are designed in the on-site workshop, where the eponymous milliners can be glimpsed creating the headwear trends of tomorrow. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 234 Brick Lane, E2 7EB 020 7739 7385 www.bernstockspeirs.com 10am-6pm, Tue-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun Comfort Station MAP 1 49 Silver chains, porcelain beads and semi-precious stones become versatile, utterly covetable works of wearable art in the hands of jewellery designer Amy Anderson. Originally known for her signature wooden handbags, Amy’s jewellery collections – which take a different theme each season – have earned her a worldwide following. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 22 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7033 9099 www.comfortstation.co.uk 11am-6pm, Tue-Sun Dower & Hall MAP 1 50 Husband-and-wife team Dan Dower and Diane Hall have created an exclusive selection of hand-crafted, easy-to-wear women’s and men’s jewellery in silver, gold and precious stones (plus platinum and white gold for something really special). Intricate designs and clever detailing make this an exceptional collection. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 20 | 39 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7377 5544 www.dowerandhall.com 10am-6.15pm, Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun Fred Bare MAP 2 51 Known for their highly individual range of men’s and women’s headgear, the team at Fred Bare create trilbies, berets, cloches and peaked bakers’ caps – all hand-made in the UK, then personalised through the application of embroidery, beads, crystals, buttons and eye-catching swatches of vintage fabrics. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 118 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7729 6962 www.fredbare.co.uk 12pm-4pm, Sat 9.30am-3pm, Sun Glitterati MAP 2 52 Delve into this fabulous collection of vintage costume jewellery, with items ranging from heavy 19th Century brooches to over-the-top 1970’s cufflinks (including many items by noted designers of their day). There’s also a good selection of vintage bags, scarves, hats and other accessories. Address: Web: Open: 148 Columbia Road, E2 7RG www.glitteratioflondon.co.uk 9am-4pm, Sun Laird of Glencairn MAP 2 53 Come here for a fantastic range of gentlemen’s hats that work just as well for the girls. Felt bowlers, top hats and tweed caps form the bulk of the collection alongside quirkier options like Sherlock Holmesstyle deerstalkers and other accessories including cufflinks, gloves and vintage scarves. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 128 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7613 3842 www.lairdlondon.co.uk 12pm-5pm, Fri-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun | 21 Luna & Curious MAP 1 54 More than just another concept boutique, Luna & Curious showcases a very personal selection of unique, beautifully finished and utterly individual jewellery and accessories (plus clothing, ceramics and all kinds of oddities) with a strong emphasis on British-made goods designed by the store’s three creators. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 24-26 Calvert Avenue, E2 07815 770601 www.lunaandcurious.com 12pm-6pm, Weds-Sun Mimi MAP 1 55 For the very best in designer luggage, purses, holdalls, bags and classic travel accessories, look no further than Mimi Berry’s fantastic shop in Cheshire Street. All designs are created in-house, then handcrafted from colourful, top quality Italian leather in a workshop just down the street. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 22 | 40 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7729 6699 www.mimiberry.co.uk 10am-6pm, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun L’Orangerie MAP 2 56 Prepare to be dazzled by a riot of colour. Beautiful costume jewellery (in glass, agate, ceramic and resin) drips from potted bay trees or lies scattered seductively across mosaic tables. Discover necklaces, bracelets and brooches in every colour of the rainbow – and a few more besides! Address: Tel: Web: Open: 162 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 8983 7873 www.orangerieshop.com 10.30am-4pm, Sat 8.30am-4.30pm, Sun Source MAP 1 57 Essentially a lifestyle boutique for the girl about town, Source offers up-to-the-minute fashions, sparkly jewellery, scented candles, gloves and purses, hand-made handbags – even pretty, practical accessories like umbrellas and diaries – making it a one-stop shop for all of life’s little necessities. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 6 Market Street, E1 6DT 020 7377 6382 www.sourcelifestyle.com 10.30am-6pm, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Tatty Devine MAP 1 58 Bold, clever and utterly original jewellery in wood and acrylic are the staples at this fun and creative Brick Lane original. Favourite designs are always available in the perennial ‘Best Of’ collection, with rotating art displays on the shop’s exhibition wall adding to the appeal. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 236 Brick Lane, E2 7EB 020 7739 9191 www.tattydevine.com 11am-6pm, Tue-Sun | 23 Furniture, homewares and design Update your living space with anything from original antiques, reconditioned classics, contemporary designs and locally-made soft furnishings and accessories. Alma Leather MAP 1 59 Give your home a contemporary feel with Alma’s chic, slick and modern designs. Sofas, daybeds, coffee tables and more come in a variety of leather, suede and sheepskin finishes, plus there’s an excellent range of cushions, throws and rugs – all designed and made on the premises. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Bahasa 12-14 Greatorex Street, E1 5NF 020 7377 0762 www.almahome.co.uk 9am-6pm, Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, Sun MAP 2 60 There’s a major focus on all things Indonesian at this ethnic homewares shop – so much so that it’s even named after the country’s official language. Come here for traditional carved figurines, wooden bowls, rattan lampshades and woven baskets (including a range made from recycled chocolate wrappers). Address: Tel: Open: 24 | 114-116 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7613 1933 9.30am-2.30pm, Sun Ben Southgate MAP 2 61 Redundant furniture and fittings are gathered from across Europe and restored to a pristine state in Ben’s own workshop. The main focus is on tables, leather chairs, gleaming metal medical cabinets and the odd curiosity, with most items hailing from the 1900’s to the 1950’s. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 4 The Courtyard, Ezra Street, E2 7RH 07905 960 792 www.bsouthgate.co.uk 9am-3pm, Sun Bilan Design Shop MAP 4 62 This shop sells arts and craftwork made by marginalised Somali women and children (many of them refugees) living in London. Expect to find beautifully-made pottery, cushions, embroidered throws and much more, with all profits being ploughed back into this wonderful initiative. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 29 Old Ford Road, E2 9LP 020 8981 6312 www.b2bsomali.org 10am-4pm, Mon-Sat Bohemia MAP 1 63 1960’s tiled coffee tables, 70’s rosewood sideboards, Hans Wegner plank armchairs… if it’s an original designer classic, the chances are you’ll find it in this wonderful celebration of 20th Century furniture – alongside some interestingly off-the-wall home accessories ranging from mounted antlers to religious icons. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 55 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7375 3283 www.retrotrading.co.uk 11am-5pm, Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun | 25 Caravan MAP 1 64 This eclectic boutique stocks a thrilling mixture of old and new pieces for the home. Reconditioned, 1940’s-style steel fittings are stacked with brightlypainted desk lamps, ceramic money-boxes and super-kitsch decorative plates. Check out their oddball animal lamps and highly desirable, handprinted wallpaper by Deborah Bowness. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 3 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ 020 7033 3532 www.caravanstyle.com 11am-6.30pm, Tue-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat-Sun Casa Mexico MAP 1 65 Add spice to your décor with Casa Mexico’s huge range of quality crafts and homewares from Guadalajara (a city famed for its artisans). Expect everything from brightly painted ceramics and rainbow-hued blankets to foodstuffs, embroidered cushions and spookylooking Day of the Dead skull candlesticks. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 1 Winkley Street, E2 6PY 020 7739 9349 www.casamexico.co.uk 10am-6pm, Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun EIGHTsq MAP 1 66 You’ll find everything you need to make your home fabulous in this treasure trove of unique (and surprisingly affordable) furniture and accessories. Gilded and antiqued, French-style dressers and fairly-traded giftware are staples alongside mirrors, lighting, candles, clocks and a host of other musthave, beautiful things. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 26 | 8 Market Street, E1 6DT 020 7375 0060 www.eightsq.co.uk 10.30am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun Elemental MAP 1 67 Old furniture is given a new lease of life at Elemental, where retro seating, cabinets, light fixtures and more are reconditioned and restored to their former glory. The shop also stocks some interesting vintage home accessories like glazed Chinese pottery, industrial fixtures and framed anatomical posters. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 67 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7247 7588 www.elemental.uk.com 11am-6pm, Wed-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun Ella Doran MAP 1 68 Fantastic photographs printed onto a full range of home accessories are the order of the day at Ella Doran. Flowers, leaves and stunning retro images are artfully emblazoned across mugs, placemats, cushions, wallpaper and made-to-measure blinds – or beautifully displayed as box-mounted prints. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Far 46 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7613 0782 www.elladoran.co.uk by appointment, Mon-Wed 11am-6pm, Thu-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun MAP 2 69 Shopkeeper and inveterate traveller Marc Snell has amassed a fabulous collection of exotic artefacts from his journeys around the world. This tiny gallery showcases reclaimed architectural features like Jali screen doors and antique carved mirrors, plus African tribal masks and a small selection of ethnic jewellery. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 124 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 07931 151 663 www.farglobal.co.uk 12pm-5pm, Sat; 9am-4.30pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) | 27 Handmade Interiors MAP 1 70 Proof that ethics and style can go hand-in-hand, this bijou shop sells luxurious, fairly-traded homewares like beautiful, hand-made cushions and block-printed quilts from India; screen-printed curtains and other home accessories; luxurious bed linens; and a good range of unusual ceramics by up-and-coming British designers. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 10 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7729 5704 www.handmade-interiors.co.uk 11am-6pm, Tue-Sun In Spitalfields MAP 1 71 Focusing on funky yet functional furniture and retro homewares, this shop is a must for those with eclectic tastes. Solid wood tables and plush velvet sofas sit side-by-side with contemporary lampshades, 1960’s-style telephones, rugs, mugs, cake-stands and all manner of other gifts and accessories. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 13 Lamb Street, E1 6EA 020 7247 2477 www.inspitalfields.co.uk 10am-7pm, daily Keeping House MAP 2 72 The kitchen’s at the heart of any home, so make yours a stylish one with this shop’s fantastic range of high quality, day-to-day kitchenware with a tasteful designer edge. There’s everything from printed tea-towels and jam-making kits to Bialetti espresso makers and oversized retro wall-clocks. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 28 | 144 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 07979 851 593 www.keepinghouseretail.co.uk 9.30am-4.30pm, Thu 1pm-7pm, Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun La Maison MAP 1 73 Minimalism is a dirty word at this opulent and overthe-top store, which specialises in restored and reproduction mirrors, beds and bedroom furniture. Every item is a statement piece, be it an ornately carved mirror or exceedingly fabulous headboard finished in metallic upholstery or antiqued silver. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 107-108 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JN 020 7729 9646 www.lamaisonlondon.com 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun Labour and Wait MAP 1 74 Step back in time to an era when quality and utility were intrinsic; and when simple, functional, everyday objects were beautifully made and designed to last. Stock up on practical, high quality household goods that look equally at home in a traditional or contemporary setting. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 85 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ (also at 18 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH) 020 7729 6253 www.labourandwait.co.uk 11am-6pm, Tue-Sun (Cheshire Street shop: Sunday only) | 29 Larache MAP 1 75 Who’d have thought recycling could be such fun? Larache takes post-consumer materials and turns them into clever, quirky home accessories. Oil cans become Moroccan-style lanterns, bottle tops become trivets and, best of all, flour sacks are turned into unusual, unique and utterly desirable handbags. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 30-32 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP 020 7729 7349 www.hassanhajjaj.com 12pm-6pm, Thu-Sat 11am-4pm, Sun The Lollipop Shoppe MAP 1 76 With its two floors packed with beautifully-made and thoroughly eye-catching furniture, home accessories and enduring classics from such illustrious names as Eames, iittala, Knoll and Fritz Hansen, a visit to the Lollipop Shoppe is the ultimate fix for even the most dedicated design junkie. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 10 Lamb Street, E1 6EA 020 7655 4540 www.thelollipopshoppe.co.uk 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun MARMARCo. MAP 1 77 There’s a definite Scandinavian feel to this designer homewares shop, whose Danish owner has amalgamated a choice selection of fabulous things both from her homeland and around the world. Highlights include hotel-grade porcelain, melamine sugar bowls and exclusive block-printed cushions from celebrated French artist, Nathalie Lété. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 30 | 16 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 020 7729 1494 www.marmarco.com by appointment, Mon-Wed 12pm-5.30pm, Thu-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Metropolis Furniture Co. MAP 2 78 Most of this showroom’s chic, retro-inspired furniture is designed and made in-house, with upholstery options ranging from real leather to a huge range of natural fabrics. Specialities include 1950’s-style dining chairs in bubblegum colours and inviting armchairs and chaises longues – stylish additions to any home. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 59 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7739 0665 www.metropolissofas.com 2pm-6pm, Sat 9am-4.30pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) MILK Concept Boutique MAP 1 79 The historic Clerk’s House (built in 1735) provides an interesting setting for MILK‘s well-chosen mix of fashion and furnishings. Modern European design classics like bowler-hat lamps, Cow Parade figurines and Piero Fornasetti’s iconic decorated plates feature alongside Repetto shoes and a small collection of ready-to-wear. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 118½ Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JN 020 7729 9880 www.milkconceptboutique.com 11am-7pm, Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 11am-8pm, Thu 10.30am-6pm, Sat-Sun | 31 Nom MAP 2 80 Treat yourself to a taste of the orient with Nom’s exclusive range of mostly Vietnamese homewares. Choose from beautifully decorated ceramic dishes and tea-ware; distinctive kitchen utensils in coconut wood or natural horn; or stunning lacquered bowls and platters in bright, metallic colours for extra ‘wow’ factor. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 102a Columbia Road, E2 7QB 07976 917 265 www.nomliving.com 1pm-6.30pm, Thu-Fri 8am-3pm, Sun OneDeko MAP 1 81 From sleek designer sofas and stylish lampshades to mirrors, rugs and stackable chairs, OneDeko is a one-stop shop for functional-but-sexy contemporary furnishings. The accent here is on Italian flair and fresh new design, with plenty of statement pieces to bring real impact to your home. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 32 | 103 Commercial Street, E1 6BG 020 7375 3289 www.onedeko.co.uk 10.30am-6pm, Mon-Fri 10.30am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun Open House MAP 2 82 Indoors meets outdoors at Open House, which specialises in modern and vintage furniture and accessories for the home and garden. Folding tables, designer mugs and decorated teapots will tempt the homebody, while garden twine, painted trowels and handmade wooden trugs will delight those with greener fingers. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 152 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 07979 851 593 www.openhouseretail.co.uk 11am-4pm, Sat 7am-5pm, Sun Pot Luck MAP 2 83 If white bone china is your thing, check out Pot Luck’s vast selection of mugs, plates and tableware – all with massive reductions from high street prices. Striking, glass vases and a selection of bold, bright flower pots add a welcome splash of colour to the proceedings. Address: Tel: Open: 84 Columbia Road, E2 7QB 020 7722 6892 8am-4pm, Sun Rocket Gallery MAP 1 84 More like a museum than a shop (albeit one where everything on show is for sale), Rocket Gallery stages frequently changing exhibitions with a particular focus on leading American, Scandinavian and European design talents. There’s also a great selection of books on photography and art. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ 020 7729 7594 www.rocketgallery.com 10am-6pm, Tue-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat | 33 Russell Roberts MAP 1 85 This gallery of top quality 20th Century furniture features chairs by such celebrated designers as Charles Eames, Hans Wegner and Bruno Mathsson; retro light fittings by Louis Polsen; and a fantastic selection of 1950’s ceramics and Swedish art glass – plus an intriguing array of one-off ‘curiosities’. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 8 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 0203 222 0066 www.8cheshirestreet.com 12pm-5pm, Thu-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Supernice MAP 2 86 Add a contemporary touch to your living space with a fun and funky wall sticker. With options ranging from cute animal designs to graffiti-style cityscapes in vintage wallpaper or slick, coloured vinyl, they’re the quickest and simplest way to make a style statement in your home. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 34 | 106 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7613 3890 www.supernice.co.uk 1pm-6pm, Saturday 9.30am-3.30pm, Sunday Two Columbia Road MAP 2 87 The stock at this high-end furniture store is in such pristine condition, it’s hard to believe it’s mostly over 50 years old! Specialising in classic Scandinavian, European and North American modern design, this is the place to come for retro furnishings at their very best. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 2 Columbia Road, E2 7NN 020 7729 9933 www.twocolumbiaroad.com 12pm-7pm, Tue-Fri 12pm-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun Unto This Last MAP 1 88 Stylish, innovative and highly individual wooden furniture is made right here on the premises by skilled craftsmen using ethically-sourced materials and state-of-the-art technology. Tables, chairs, placemats and retro, curved-edge storage units are among the best sellers, with prices much lower than you might expect. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 230 Brick Lane, E2 7EB 020 7613 0882 www.untothislast.co.uk 10am-6pm, daily Vintage Heaven MAP 2 89 Browse through hundreds of china tea-sets, decorated plates and other practical homewares, plus a wide selection of ornamental glassware and a basement filled with crochet napkins and embroidered tablecloths. Then head to the back of the shop for a cream tea at the Cake Hole café. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 82 Columbia Road, E2 7QB 01277 215 968 www.vintageheaven.co.uk 12pm-6pm, Fri - Sat 8.30am-5.30pm, Sun | 35 WAWA MAP 2 90 Check out the constantly evolving selection of quality, locally-produced homewares at this gallery of superlative British interior design. The main focus is on made-to-order seating and sofas, supported by hand-printed lampshades, retro wall-clocks and hand-made leather bags, plus beautiful tableware, cushions and designer ceramics. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 36 | 1 Ezra Street, E2 7RH 020 7729 6768 www.wawa.co.uk 10am-2.30pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) Galleries London Eastside is a hotbed for creative types, whose works can be found at these edgy, contemporary galleries. The Brick Lane Gallery MAP 1 91 As well as being an exhibition space where emerging talents can showcase their work to an East London audience, this dual-purpose gallery also stocks a wide range of prints by well-known contemporary and street artists like Tracey Emin, Gilbert & George, Faile and Jamie Hewlett. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 196 Brick Lane, E1 6SA 020 7729 9721 www.thebricklanegallery.com 1pm-6pm, daily Columbia Road Gallery MAP 2 92 Get a taste of the seaside without leaving East London. Columbia Road Gallery contains works by modern Cornish artists and craftspeople, with works ranging from oils on canvas to furniture and sculpture. Items are well-priced to make these original artworks accessible to all. Address: Tel: Web: 7 The Courtyard, Ezra Street, E2 7RH 07812 196 257 www.columbiaroadgallery.com Open: 9am-3pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) | 37 Concrete Hermit MAP 1 93 This shop-cum-gallery just off Redchurch Street features frequently changing exhibitions by internationally acclaimed graphic artists. Check out their original and innovative artworks on the walls; then buy the images emblazoned across a range of products like T-shirts, badges, postcards, prints and books. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 5a Club Row, E1 6JX 020 7729 2646 www.concretehermit.com 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat Lesley Davy Gallery MAP 2 94 The overriding theme in this specialist gallery is ‘abstract landscape’, a very imaginative genre that consequently results in an interesting collection of paintings, prints and ceramics representing the work of several distinguished artists in this particular field - including a good many by Lesley herself. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 53 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 07879 876 007 www.lesleydavygallery.co.uk 2pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-3.30pm, Sunday (weekdays by appointment) Nelly Duff MAP 2 95 Update your living space with one of Nelly Duff’s high-quality, original screen prints featuring the work of graphic, street and illustrative artists like Banksy, Patrick Thomas, Pure Evil and Jessica Albarn. Images come framed or unframed and range from provocative and thought-provoking to just plain kooky. Address: Web: Open: 38 | 156 Columbia Road, E2 7RG www.nellyduff.com 11am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-3.30pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) Real World Gallery MAP 1 96 This showroom provides a glimpse of the 3000+ artworks in the company‘s extensive online portfolio, which covers every possible genre from portraits and landscapes to etchings and abstracts. Works rotate regularly to accommodate temporary exhibitions of photography, sculpture and other topical art forms. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 65 Hanbury Street, E1 5JP 020 7193 0499 www.newartoriginals.com/rwg 12.30pm-7.30pm, Mon-Sat StART SPACE MAP 2 97 Discover original artworks and ever-changing exhibitions by established and up-and-coming talents at this cutting-edge Columbia Road gallery. Styles vary considerably, from Alexander Baynes’ bold, vibrant cityscapes and Christopher Campbell’s eerie urban landscapes to StART DESIGN’s own ceramic ‘crinkled coffee cups’. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 150 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7729 0522 www.startspace.co.uk 10am-4pm, Fri-Sat; 8am-3pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) | 39 Food Delve into a smorgasbord of goodies, from handmade chocolates and tuck-shop treats to international delicacies and good old British staples. A. Gold MAP 1 98 There’s more to British food than baked beans on toast! This quality grocer specialises in regional British and Irish produce such as pork pies, chutneys and home-made Scotch eggs. There’s also a made-to-order sandwich bar and an old-style tuck shop selling traditional sweets by the 100g. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 42 Brushfield Street, E1 6AG 020 7247 2487 www.agoldshop.com 10am-4pm, Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun Bedales MAP 1 99 Discover the world of wine at this out-of-theordinary bottle shop. Select your preferred vintage with the help of knowledgeable staff and a handy ‘try before you buy’ policy; then pay the corkage fee and sup your chosen bottle over a delicious snack from the deli. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 40 | 12 Market Street, E1 6DT 020 7375 1926 www.bedaleswines.com 12pm-9.30pm, Mon 12pm-10pm, Tue-Wed 12pm-10.30pm, Thu-Fri 12pm-7.30pm, Sat-Sun Billingsgate Fish Market MAP 3 100 It may require an early start, but a visit to Billingsgate’s famous fish market is a fantastic experience. Come face to face with a staggering variety of sea foods; then learn how to cook them on one of the Billingsgate Seafood Training School’s cookery courses. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Trafalgar Way, E14 5ST 020 7987 1118 www.billingsgate-market.org.uk 5am-8.30am, Tue-Sat Brick Lane Beigel Bake MAP 1 101 Handy for a snack at any time of day or night, this 24-hour bakery is a genuine East End institution. Buy fresh-from-the-oven beigels by the half-dozen, or treat yourself to one stuffed with cream cheese, smoked salmon or the shop’s speciality – hot salt beef. Address: Tel: Open: 159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB 020 7729 0616 All day, every day (24 hours) | 41 Franzè & Evans MAP 1 102 Specialising in regional products from co-owner Nicolas Franzè’s southern Italian homeland, this wonderful deli-cum-café is perfect for a lunchtime pit-stop. The café serves up delicious, freshly-made meals, Musetti coffee and arguably London’s best brownies, while the deli stocks prosecco, salamis and hard-to-find Italian cheeses. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 101 Redchurch Street, E2 7DL 020 7033 1910 www.franzeevans.com 8.30am-6.30pm, Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun Jones Dairy MAP 2 103 Once a working inner-city dairy with real cows, Jones’ now sells farmhouse cheeses, organic vegetables and an excellent range of teas, breads and preserves – all sourced directly from smallscale, traditional producers. The cowsheds themselves have been transformed into a popular café serving coffee and light lunches. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 23 Ezra Street, E2 7RH 020 7739 5372 www.jonesdairy.co.uk Shop: 8am-1pm, Fri-Sat; 9am-2pm, Sun Café: 9am-3pm, Fri-Sat; 8am-3pm, Sun Leila’s Shop MAP 1 104 Stop in for breakfast or a sandwich at this welcoming, rustic grocery-cum-café. The openplan kitchen, refectory-style table and jars of homemade jam give the place a pleasant, homely feel, while the selection of imported dry goods on sale adds a distinctive tang of faraway places. Address: Tel: Open: 42 | 15-17 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP 020 7729 9789 10am-7pm, Wed-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun Montezuma’s MAP 1 105 This exquisite chocolate shop embodies the principle of ‘naughty but nice’ with its deliciously decadent (yet organic and ethically sourced) products. Buy their award-winning, British-made chocolates in bars, blocks or buttons, or try their innovative truffles like Montezuma’s Revenge – flavoured with chilli and tequila! Address: Tel: Web: Open: 51 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7539 9208 www.montezumas.co.uk 11am-4pm, Mon 10am-6pm, Tue-Sun Suck and Chew MAP 2 106 Reconnect with your childhood at this traditional tuck shop, where old-school treats like pear drops, midget gems, kola kubes and dolly mixture are dispensed from Victorian-style glass jars and sold by weight. There’s also a tempting selection of hand-made, organic chocolate truffles for the grown-ups. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 130 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 8983 3504 www.suckandchew.co.uk 11.30am-4.30pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun TeaSmith MAP 1 107 Explore the world of tea at this contemporary, East Asian-style tea-house. Sample different blends of oolong, green and jasmine teas at the sleek wooden counter, then buy packets of your favourite brews to take home. The shop also sells a full range of tea-ware. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 6 Lamb Street, E1 6EA 020 7247 1333 www.teasmith.co.uk 11am-6pm, daily | 43 Treacle MAP 2 108 With their super-cute cupcakes (think frosted icing and lots of pretty embellishment) achieving almost legendary status, this little bakery has become a genuine Columbia Road institution. Recreate the Treacle experience at home with their excellent range of classic and contemporary teapots, jugs and cake stands. Address: Tel: Web: Open 110-112 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7729 0538 www.treacleworld.com 9am-3.30pm, Sun Verde & Co MAP 1 109 High-end continental groceries are the order of the day at Verde & Co, where the presentation is as beautiful as the products themselves. Swedish jams, Italian coffee and luxurious Pierre Marcolini chocolates line the shelves, with colourful fresh vegetables and made-to-order sandwiches completing the picture. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 44 | 40 Brushfield Street, E1 6AG 020 7247 1924 www.verde-and-company-ltd.co.uk 9am-7pm, Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun Gifts, gadgets and handicrafts Spoil someone rotten with one of these fun, inspirational or one-of-a-kind gifts – or really go to town by making your own! 4D Modelshop MAP 1 110 Why should architects have all the fun? This shop is essentially a resource centre for creative types, selling everything you’d need to make professional scale models of building projects – but the materials, tools, spray-paints and accessories are equally useful for a wide range of do-it-yourself crafts. Address: Tel: Web: Open: The Arches, 120 Leman Street, E1 8EU 020 7264 1288 www.modelshop.co.uk 9am-6pm, Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat Bob & Blossom MAP 2 111 It’s all about the little ones at this super-cute shop, which sells giftware and (mostly own-brand) clothing for babies, toddlers and children up to six years of age. The ‘numbered’ T-shirts make ideal birthday gifts, while other favourite items include baby-soft blankets, sleepsuits and old-fashioned toys. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 140 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7739 4737 www.bobandblossom.com 9am-3pm, Sun | 45 Beyond Fabrics MAP 2 112 Satisfy your creative urge in this quaint and colourful haberdashery shop, where you’ll find everything you need to make your own curtains, clothes, cushions, quilts and everything in between. There are fabrics, buttons, ribbons and dressmaking patterns, plus sewing classes to teach all the necessary skills. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 67 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7729 5449 www.beyond-fabrics.com 11am-6pm, Tue-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun Evolution MAP 4 113 Indulge your whims with a clear conscience at this ethical gift shop, where fun and funky toys, games, homewares, candles and greetings cards are imported from traditional craftspeople in Africa, Asia and South America – with all profits invested in social development programmes in source countries. Address: Tel: Open: 59-61 Roman Road, E2 0QN 020 8981 7219 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun Idonia van der Bijl MAP 2 114 This is how all gift shops should be, offering an eclectic range of quality, genuinely desirable jewellery, toys, picture frames, mugs, bath products and greetings cards. There’s also a great selection of vases, which you can fill with fresh flowers from the market stalls outside. Address: Tel: Open: 46 | 122 Columbia Road, E2 7RJ 020 7729 7976 9am-2.30pm, Sun Lapin & Me MAP 2 115 A delightful sense of nostalgia prevails at Lapin & Me, where the wide selection of retro, French-inspired gifts will be appreciated by grown-ups and children alike. Items range from oldfashioned journals and doll-making kits to kids’ clothes, Bambi snowglobes, animal lamps and printed canvas bags. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 14 Ezra Street, E2 7RH 020 7739 4384 www.lapinandme.co.uk 11.30am-3.30pm, Sat 9.30am-3.30pm, Sun Milagros MAP 2 116 Get an authentic south-of-the-border flavour at this colourful gift shop, which specialises in ceramic wall tiles, recycled glassware and woven baskets, all made in Mexico. Milagros works with independent artists and workshops to create quality, hand-made products combining traditional techniques with contemporary design. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 61 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7613 0876 www.milagros.co.uk 9am-4pm, Sun Mundo MAP 1 117 Make someone’s day: send them one of Mundo’s fun, funky and thoroughly individual greeting cards. Edgy, humorous and provocative images are the shop’s forte alongside all manner of novelty giftware including mugs, coasters, games, jokes and a good selection of posters and prints. Address: Tel: Open: 59 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7392 2000 11am-6pm, daily | 47 Museum of Childhood MAP 4 118 Who needs batteries? The Museum’s well-stocked gift shop sells a wide range of traditional, oldfashioned toys like doll-making kits, finger paints and make-it-yourself kits to stimulate creative minds; plus there’s a great selection of children’s books, kids’ jewellery and lots and lots of pocketmoney-sized goodies. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA 020 8983 5200 www.museumofchildhood.org.uk 10am-5.30pm, daily My Robot Friends MAP 1 119 This one-of-a-kind store specialises in reproduction, antique and limited edition toy robots alongside a wide selection of wind-up toys, Mexican folk art and all sorts of other fun things that have all been brought together in an oddball assembly that’s kitsch, colourful and highly collectable. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 20 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH 07974 155 031 www.myrobotfriends.net 12pm-6pm, Wed-Sun Poetry in Wood MAP 1 120 Order any wooden item you like – from inlaid mosaic tables to bookends and fridge magnets – and have it made on commission. Poetry in Wood is a highly acclaimed social enterprise that trains and develops people with learning disabilities, then employs them in the on-site workshop. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 48 | Montefiore Centre, Hanbury Street, E1 5HZ 020 7375 3933 www.ssba.info 10am-5pm, Mon/Tue/Wed (by appointment only) Prick Your Finger MAP 4 121 Reduce your carbon footprint: make your own clothes! This specialist knitting shop sells hand-spun woollen yarns from small farmer producers (including breed-specific wools from different types of sheep). Vegan knitters may prefer yarn spun from organic cotton, banana husks, bamboo, soybean or even recycled bottle-tops. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 260 Globe Road, E2 0JD 020 8981 2560 www.prickyourfinger.com 12pm-7pm, Tue-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat Whitechapel Bell Foundry MAP 1 122 Founded in 1570 and still going strong, this working foundry is a fascinating place to visit. It’s famous for casting both Big Ben and the American Liberty Bell, though the gift shop’s hand bells, antique-style doorbells and sheet music are much easier to carry home! Address: Tel: Web: Open: 32 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DY 020 7247 2599 www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk 9am-4.15pm, Mon-Fri Wood ’n’ Things MAP 1 123 Almost two shops in one, Wood ‘n’ Things stocks a wide range of traditional wooden toys alongside a good selection of fancy dress items. The handcrafted Venetian masks are something of a speciality, as are the Betty Boop figurines, working puppets and Brio wooden trains. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 57 Brushfield Street, E1 6AA 020 7247 6275 www.woodnthings.uk.com 10am-6pm, daily | 49 Books, maps and music Discover East End history or the latest literary sensation, then choose between CDs and musical instruments to create your perfect soundtrack. Duke of Uke MAP 1 124 Proper musicians will love this ukulele and banjo emporium, home to a wide range of acoustic and electric instruments (both new and vintage). There’s also a good selection of sheet music featuring tunes from Hawaii (the uke’s spiritual home), plus cowboy classics for a home-on-the-range-style sing-along. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 22 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR 020 7247 7924 www.dukeofuke.co.uk 12pm-7pm, Tue-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun Eastside Books MAP 1 125 This friendly, independent bookshop is known for its excellent range of books on local history. The East End’s industrial, Jewish and gangster legacies are all well documented alongside a more mainstream collection of fiction, travel and kids’ books. Comfy armchairs make this a very browserfriendly store. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 50 | 166 Brick Lane, E1 6RU 020 7247 0216 www.eastsidebookshop.com 11am-6pm, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun Forget-Me-Knot MAP 4 126 Give a much-loved book a new lease of life at this specialist book binder and restorer. Revive old volumes and documents, or bind sketches, letters and other memorabilia into their very own tome. Forget-Me-Knot also creates unusual, book-related gift items – ideal for the person who has everything. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Studio 3, Brittania Works, Dace Road, E3 2NG 020 8980 2447 www.forget-me-knot.org.uk by appointment only Frontispiece MAP 3 127 Discover images of a bygone era among Frontispiece’s half-million-strong library of antique maps, prints and charts. Prints range from Punch cartoons to historic images of stately homes, battle scenes and the London Docklands, while the maps cover everything from local parish plans to the whole world. Address: Tel: Web: Open: One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, E14 5AX 020 7363 6336 www.frontispiece.co.uk 9am-7pm, Mon-Wed; 9am-8pm, Thu-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat; 12pm-6pm, Sun Rough Trade East MAP 1 128 Voted Music Store of the Year in 2008 and 2009, Rough Trade East is the place to discover exciting new music. A Fair Trade café, gallery space and free internet access contribute to the relaxed environment, while in-store events can include intimate gigs from big-name acts. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL 020 7392 7788 www.roughtrade.com 8am-9pm, Mon-Thu; 8am-8pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat; 11am-7pm, Sun | 51 Gardening, outdoor and adventure It’s a jungle out there. Find all the equipment you’ll ever need for getting down and dirty in the great outdoors. Brick Lane Bikes MAP 1 129 Brick Lane’s signature vintage vibe even extends to its bike shop, where old-school, single-speed track bikes and Italian racers are the order of the day. The shop also offers a bespoke, built-to-order service alongside repairs, spares and a whole spectrum of cycling accessories. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 118 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6DG 020 7033 9053 www.bricklanebikes.co.uk 9am-7pm, Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun Columbia Pottery MAP 2 130 Add a hint of sunnier climes to your outside space with some colourfully glazed pots and planters from as far afield as Spain, Tunisia, Mexico and Thailand. Save space with a wall-mounted option, or opt for stylish zinc troughs for a more contemporary feel. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 52 | 132 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 07960 809 933 www.21stcenturyeastlondon.com 12pm-4pm, Sat (May-September only) 9am-3pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) Cotswold Outdoor MAP 1 131 OK, so this one may not be an independent but it does offer the area’s best selection of clothing and equipment for the outdoor enthusiast. Pick up waterproofs, thermals, ski suits and walking boots, plus climbing accessories, camping equipment and a good selection of maps and guidebooks. Address: Tel: Web: Open: Leyden Street, E1 7LL 020 7655 4660 www.cotswoldoutdoor.com 10am-7pm, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat LCB Surf Store MAP 1 132 Well known for their hand-crafted, groundbreaking boards, LCB is the place to go for all your skaterboy essentials. Snowboards, surfboards and skateboards are stocked alongside a full range of accessories including helmets, sunglasses, caps and trainers. There’s also gallery space and a café serving organic, fair-trade coffee. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 121 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG 020 7739 3839 www.lcbsurfstore.com 8am-7pm, Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun The Red Mud Hut MAP 2 133 Transform your terrace and glitz up your garden with Red Mud Hut’s contemporary collection of indoor and outdoor tubs, pots, planters and troughs. Favourite choices include containers in tasteful terracotta, frost-resistant fibreglass and super-stylish zinc (in both black and natural finishes) – plus some lovely Chinese-style furniture. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 92 Columbia Road, E2 7QB 020 7613 4811 www.theredmudhut.com 8am-4pm, Sunday (weekdays by appointment) | 53 Stoned & Plastered MAP 2 134 Bring some ornamental grandeur to your garden. Stoned & Plastered creates busts, birdbaths and decorative plaques in moulded concrete, making them both durable and weatherproof. Or choose similar items (plus fireplaces, mantelpieces and wallmounted cherubs) in plaster of Paris for indoor use. Address: Tel: Open: 21B Ezra Street, E2 7RH 020 7729 5675 9.30am-5pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) Timuna Sea MAP 3 135 Whether you’re an experienced diver or a first-time novice, you’ll find everything you need for an under-the-sea experience here in East London’s premier dive shop. The extensive range of diving equipment, accessories and other hardware is complemented by a great selection of designer swimwear. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 54 | 121 Cannon Workshops, Cannon Drive, West India Quay, E14 4AS 020 7719 9444 www.timunasea.com 11am-7pm, Mon-Thu 11am-6pm, Fri 10am-6pm, Sat Treatments, therapies and beauty All shopped out? Treat yourself to a revitalising massage, a cleansing body wrap or even a brand new ‘do’. Angela Flanders Perfumes MAP 2 136 This delightful and unique perfumery is a fragrant gem in the heart of Columbia Road Flower Market. Using heady floral bouquets and heavier, woody notes, Angela Flanders creates exotic, imaginative fragrances like Figue Noire and Moroccan Rose, available as perfumes, scented candles or essential oils. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 96 Columbia Road, E2 7QB 020 7739 7555 www.angelaflanders-perfumer.com 10am-4pm, Sun Bodywise MAP 4 137 Achieve inner harmony with a visit to this natural health centre. Sign up for classes in yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, or indulge in a range of complementary therapies. Better yet, Bodywise is charitable operation so you can spoil yourself rotten without feeling guilty. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 119 Roman Road, E2 0QN 020 8981 6938 www.bodywisehealth.org 8.45am-8.45pm, Mon-Fri 8.45am-2.30pm, Sat | 55 City Beach Salon MAP 1 138 Unwind with a relaxing full-body massage; then get yourself in shape for your next sunshine break with a full range of indulgent treatments. Tanning, facials, pedicures, electrolysis, eyelash tints and bikini waxes are all available, with chest and back waxes for the boys. Ouch! Address: Tel: Web: Open: 28 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR 020 7247 7878 www.citybeach.biz 10am-7pm, Mon-Wed 10am-8pm, Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sun Hair and Jerome MAP 1 139 Make sure your hairstyle’s bang up to date with a visit to this snazzy salon specialising in ‘fashion forward hairdressing’. Creative director Jerome Hillion was 2005’s British Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year, so expect unrivalled creativity, extraordinary style and a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 3 Toynbee Street, E1 7NE 020 7375 0044 www.hairandjerome.co.uk 10am-9am, Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri 9am-6pm, Sat Hair by John MAP 2 140 Get an A-list haircut at high-street prices at this genuine hidden gem of a salon (tucked away behind an unmarked door amidst the bustle of Columbia Road Flower Market) from hairdresser-tothe-stars John Burchall, whose previous high-profile clients include Spice Girls and supermodels. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 56 | 146 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 07967 033 051 www.johnburchall.com by appointment only John Lester Hair Systems MAP 4 141 Change your look instantly – and as often as you like – with one of John Lester’s ready-to-wear wigs or hairpieces. Choose from a wide range of length, style and colour choices (in real human hair or synthetics), or have one custom made to your own specifications. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 32 Globe Road, E1 4DU 020 7790 2278 www.johnlester.co.uk 9am-6pm, Mon-Fri Mollie Sugden Hairdressing MAP 1 142 Mrs Slocombe is alive and well at this opulent salon, where a huge pop-art portrait of everyone’s favourite Are You Being Served? character watches over the proceedings from above the reception desk. Crystal chandeliers, a moody colour scheme and touchy-feely flock wallpaper complete the look. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 240 Brick Lane, E2 7EB 020 7613 2467 www.molliesugdenhairdressing.co.uk 11am-6pm, Tue; 11am-8pm, Wed-Thu 10am-7pm, Fri; 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun | 57 Pimps & Pinups MAP 1 143 You don’t need to be a superstar to be treated like one. Just walk into Pimps & Pinups, whose dazzling dressing-room mirrors and retro barbers’ chairs give a distinct impression of 1950’s Hollywood glamour. The salon has a funky atmosphere that’s relaxed, friendly and refreshingly unpretentious. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 14 Lamb Street, E1 6EA 020 7426 2121 www.pimpsandpinups.com 10am-8pm, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun The Powder Room MAP 2 144 It’s your duty to be beautiful, so go all-out and let the pink-clad Powderpuff Girls work their magic on your look. Manicures, makeovers and hair styling are set against a swinging 1930’s soundtrack - or take a make-up lesson and discover the tricks of the trade for yourself. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 58 | 136 Columbia Road, E2 7RG 020 7729 1365 www.thepowderpuffgirls.com 12pm-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun (weekdays by appointment) Spa London MAP 4 145 Restore inner harmony with a visit to Spa London’s full-service facility in Bethnal Green. Start with an invigorating Hammam and steam-room experience, then indulge in any of a wide range of treatments, including massages, facials, wraps, body scrubs and bronzing (for both men and women). Address: Tel: Web: Open: York Hall Leisure Centre, Old Ford Road, E2 9PJ 020 8709 5845 www.spa-london.org 11am-9.30pm, Mon 10am-9.30pm, Tue-Fri 9am-7.30pm, Sat-Sun Taylor Taylor MAP 1 146 More than just a hair salon, Taylor Taylor offers a full range of grooming and beauty therapies, allowing you to indulge in a haircut, colour, waxing, pedicure and more in a comfortable, boudoir-style environment. With two handy locations, looking good has never been this easy. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 137 Commercial Street, E1 6BJ (also at 12 Cheshire Street, E2 6EH) 020 7377 2737 www.taylortaylorlondon.com 10am-8pm, Mon-Wed; 12pm-9pm, Thu 10am-7pm, Fri; 10am-6pm, Sat Vision Hair MAP 1 147 This bright, spacious salon feels like an airy New York warehouse, with cool, contemporary styling and funky, innovative design. Friendly and professional stylists, complimentary bubbly and the latest equipment and technologies ensure that every haircut at Vision is an experience from start to finish. Address: Tel: Web: Open: 8 Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, E1 6QL 020 7247 6842 www.visionhair.co.uk 10am-6pm, Mon-Wed 11am-8pm, Thu-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun | 59 Shopping districts and markets Planning your day As any serious shopper will tell you, planning your itinerary is the key to success. Many of London Eastside’s shops (and all the markets) are only open on certain days, so a little forward planning is essential if you’re to make the most of your visit. Some of the area’s shopping districts don’t really come into their own until the weekends, when the markets are in full swing. Roman Road Market is busiest on Saturdays, Petticoat Lane and Old Spitalfields Markets are buzzing on Sundays, while Columbia Road and the Brick Lane area markets are only in action on Sundays – so be sure to go on the correct days to experience the bustle at its best. Of course the shops themselves are also generally open during the week – and if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds then a weekday visit might be more up your street. Bear in mind, though, that some businesses may not open in the early part of the week (and many on Columbia Road don’t open during the week at all), so be sure to check the opening times displayed in this guide before you set out on your assault of the shops. As with getting anywhere in London, public transport is always best and we’ve highlighted the best stations to use for accessing the market of your choice. If you do drive (which might be best if you’re planning to buy a lot!), don’t forget to check parking restrictions even at the weekends – nobody wants a great day of bargain-hunting spoiled by a parking ticket. Also don’t forget that London Eastside has a wealth of great places to eat and drink; so take your time, make a day of it – and be sure to come back soon. 60 | Getting there and getting around The main shopping areas are all easily accessible using the public transport network. Check the Tube map on the back cover of this guide to identify your most convenient route using London Underground. A one-day travel card or pre-pay Oyster card presents the best value for money for travel by tube, DLR and bus. For further assistance with route planning, contact Transport for London on 020 7222 1234 or visit www.tfl.gov.uk. Photo credit: LDA Alternatively, do some sightseeing as you travel by using Thames Clipper’s speedy river ferry service from central London piers to Canary Wharf and beyond. Brick Lane Market The large, sprawling Sunday market fills Brick Lane and the surrounding streets with tools, clothing, books, kitchenware and second-hand household goods. Brick Lane itself offers plenty of coffee shops and juice stalls, several funky bars and a decent range of quirky and unique shops – plus of course the wealth of fantastic value Bangladeshi and Indian restaurants for which the street is famed. This area is also the epicentre of London’s vintage clothing scene, so expect to find a huge offering of footwear and fashions from yesteryear. Where: When: Tube: Brick Lane, Cheshire Street and Sclater Street, E1 Sunday: 8am-3pm Aldgate East/Liverpool Street | 61 Columbia Road Flower Market This most fragrant and colourful market has become one of East London’s quintessential weekend experiences. The narrow street of Victorian terraces is transformed into a blaze of colour each Sunday morning, when dozens of stallholders set up shop with houseplants, orchids, cut flowers and more. Get there early for the best choice, or arrive late to pick up some real bargains as the traders vie to shift what’s left of their stock before closing time. Besides hosting the prettiest market in town, Columbia Road is also fringed with some really unique gift shops, galleries and cafés, with more round the corner on neighbouring Ezra Street. www.columbiaroad.info Where: When: Tube: Columbia Road, E2 Sunday: 8am-2pm Liverpool Street or Old Street, then walk or take the bus. This historic covered market houses a fantastic range of inspiring, independent shops in the main structure, with a huge, stall-filled space at its centre. A massive redevelopment programme has spruced the place up considerably and ushered in some radical changes, but Spitalfields still retains its hip, trendy and creative edginess. The market itself continues to thrive, offering artwork, bags, clothes, music, books, jewellery and homewares in a fun, funky and ever so fabulous environment. The redevelopment has brought in a much larger choice of eateries, offering tapas, burgers, noodles, curries and all 62 | Photo credit: LDA Old Spitalfields Market kinds of other good things to eat. Stalls vary from day to day, but the shops and restaurants are open all week. www.visitspitalfields.com Where: When: Tube: 105a Commercial Street, E1 10am-4pm, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sun Liverpool Street The Old Truman Brewery The redevelopment of Old Spitalfields Market has reduced the space available to stallholders, so many of them have upped sticks and moved across the road to the various covered spaces at the Old Truman Brewery. Expect to find a wide range of arts, crafts and design, plus new and vintage clothes and shoes, hand-made bags, jewellery, homewares, accessories, greeting cards and all kinds of fresh and healthy food and drink. It’s all scattered across a number of dedicated venues: the Vintage Market is on Friday-Sunday, while both the Boiler House Food Hall and Backyard Market are open all weekend. The Sunday (Up)Market - the clue’s in the name - is only open on Sundays. www.trumanbrewery.com Where: Tube: The Old Truman Brewery complex, Brick Lane, E1 Aldgate East/Liverpool Street Petticoat Lane Although Petticoat Lane itself no longer exists (it was renamed Middlesex Street in Victorian times to avoid offending our more prudish forebears), this is probably the oldest and most famous of all London’s street markets. Best known for leather jackets and just about anything else at a markdown, the market is hugely popular with bargain hunters on the lookout for clothes, bags, makeup, watches and all kinds of other discounted goods. Where: When: Tube: Middlesex Street, E1 (and surrounding streets) Sunday: 9am-2pm, with smaller markets on weekdays: 8am-4pm Aldgate East/Liverpool Street | 63 Roman Road Market This famous street market is popular with East Londoners ‘in the know’ for high street fashion items at bargain prices. Specialist clothing and shoe shops can be found along Roman Road itself, with clothes, fabrics, brica-brac, produce and plants in the market proper. It’s especially good on summer Saturdays, when street performers and special events make the market come alive. Where: When: Tube: Roman Road, E3 Tuesday & Thursday: 9am-3pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Mile End, Bow Road and Bow Church Canary Wharf For something a little more conventional, the indoor shopping malls at Canary Wharf offer over 200 shops, bars and restaurants – including a wide range of high-street and high-end retailers. Clothes, shoes, stationery, sports goods, electronics, greetings cards and even groceries are all available in this one convenient, weather-proof and easy-toreach shopping destination, with big-name retailers including Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Zara, Next, The Body Shop and French Connection. Make a day of it by picking up a Canary Wharf ‘Movie Map’ and following the self-guided trail to discover locations used in recent blockbusters – including The World Is Not Enough, Batman Begins and 28 Weeks Later. www.mycanarywharf.com Where: When: Tube: 64 | Canary Wharf Monday-Wednesday: 9am-7pm Thursday-Friday: 9am-8pm Saturday: 10am-6pm Sunday: 12pm-6pm Canary Wharf Where to eat Shopping is hungry work, so take a break while you contemplate your next purchase. East London may historically be associated with jellied eels, but the area actually offers a diverse and delicious culinary scene. From an inexpensive curry on Brick Lane to destination restaurants like Canary Wharf’s Plateau and the spectacular Wapping Food (located in an old power station), the area has dining options to tempt every taste and budget. Here’s a selection of independent, quirky eateries in the main shopping districts that showcase the area’s distinctly different approach to food. Spitalfields S&M Café, 48 Brushfield Street – tuck into your favourite British comfort foods at this 50’s-style café, where all kinds of sausages are served with gravy and mash; or try one of the traditional, allday British breakfasts. Scarlet Dot, 4 Crispin Place (Lamb Street) – Spitalfields Market’s only truly independent restaurant offers haute cuisine Indian dishes and a tempting cocktail menu, with covered outdoor seating in summer and ‘bento’-style takeaway boxed lunches. Market Coffee House, 52 Brushfield Street – soak up the atmosphere at this cosy, wood-panelled coffee shop, whose counter groans under the weight of covetable cakes and superlative scones. Buttered crumpets, soups and delicious light lunches are also served. | 65 St John Bread & Wine, 94 Commercial Street – this thoroughly unusual establishment offers traditionalstyle British cuisine with a twist. The emphasis is on hearty cooking using seasonal ingredients, with different dishes served throughout the day, according to a strict mealtime schedule. Meson los Barilles, 8a Lamb Street – for a typically Spanish vibe, head to this authentic tapas bar and restaurant to enjoy chorizo, patatas bravas and perfectly formed portions of other regional specialities – plus whole legs of Iberian ham hanging from the ceiling. Rootmaster, Ely’s Yard, Old Truman Brewery, E1 – hop aboard for a vegan feast! This landmark restaurant is located within a London icon – a bright red, double-decker bus – and serves delicious vegan dishes (think meze, stir-fries and soups) in a fun, one-of-a-kind setting. Brick Lane area Café Bangla, 128 Brick Lane, E1 – Brick Lane is awash with curry houses, but this one really stands out from the crowd. Tuck into typical tandoori and other regional Indian dishes under the watchful gaze of a huge Princess Diana mural. Brick Lane Brasserie, 67 Brick Lane, E1 – another popular choice, the Brasserie offers an inexpensive approach to Bangla-Bengali cuisine in a traditional curry-house environment, with a BYO drinks policy that helps keep your costs down. Story Deli, 3 Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, E1 – grab a healthy, delicious snack on the go at this busy deli, where super-fresh pizzas, salads and cakes are all made with organically grown ingredients. 66 | Chaat, 36 Redchurch Street, E2 – this restaurant and tea room features a tapas-style menu of typical Bangladeshi dishes – with recipes inspired by the owner’s mum’s home cooking! Specialities include spicy lamb keema and classic chicken curry, all washed down with aromatic teas. Fika, 161a Brick Lane, E1 – for excellent Swedish food in a typically stylish Scandinavian setting (think white walls, funky artwork and lots of candles), this cosy little diner is hard to beat. Don’t miss the pickled herrings and traditional Swedish meatballs. Damascu Bite, 119-121 Brick Lane, E1 – for a tasty snack with real Middle Eastern flair, pop into this tiled kebab shop for an authentic shawarma. Served in pita bread with tahini, salad and a fiery garlic sauce, it’s the perfect lunch on the go. Columbia Road Laxeiro, 93 Columbia Road, E2 – tuck into tasty tapas at this authentic Spanish café, where the emphasis is very much on fresh, seasonal products – many of which are sourced directly from Spain. Campania Gastronomia, 95 Columbia Road, E2 – expect to be overwhelmed by tantalising aromas when you enter this fantastic café serving regional southern Italian goodies – plus some seriously tempting breakfast specials. Café Columbia, 138 Columbia Road, E2 – grab a freshly-baked bagel with your choice of smoked salmon and cream cheese, crayfish and rocket; or super-filled breakfast specials – then retreat to the private courtyard to eat it in peace. | 67 The Royal Oak, 73 Columbia Road, E2 – once an after-hours refuge for pie-eyed clubbers, this typical East End boozer has had a major ‘gastropub’ makeover and now offers quality pub grub, some excellent beers and a hearty Sunday roast. Stringray Globe, 109 Columbia Road, E2 – just down the road from the market proper, this Mediterranean restaurant offers perfect pizza and pasta dishes and a respectable wine list, with plenty of outside seating in the summer. Canary Wharf area Shoppers at Canary Wharf are spoilt for choice when it comes to refuelling. There’s a wide range of high-street bar and fast-food chains offering burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads and more; plus a smattering of more upmarket eateries covering French, Asian and other international cuisines. For a full listing, log onto www.mycanarywharf.com. And finally….over to you! The details in the guide were correct at the time of publication, but we know things can sometimes change. If you have any comments on the featured shops, or if you’ve discovered an unusual store that you think should appear in the next edition of the guide, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. This guide is not intended as an exhaustive listing of shops in the area, but is instead designed to provide a taste of what makes shopping in East London so unique. Whilst every reasonable precaution has been taken to ensure that the information contained in the Quirky Shopping Guide is accurate, the Borough of Tower Hamlets cannot accept any liability for errors or omissions, however caused. 68 | The playground for 2012 You don’t have to wait until 2012 to experience the thrill and excitement of an Olympic atmosphere. Look out for our colourful and vibrant programme of sports and cultural activities taking place across Tower Hamlets – the heart of East London, as we celebrate our role as a host borough and head towards the crescendo of the Games of the 30th Olympiad. visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/olympics to find out more. Index Name @work 123 127 4D Modelshop a-non brand A. Gold Aarong Absolute Vintage Alexander Boyd Ally Capellino Alma Leather Angela Flanders Bahasa Bedales Behave Ben Southgate Bernstock Speirs Beyond Fabrics Beyond Retro Bilan Design Shop Billingsgate Market Blondie Bob & Blossom Bodas Bodywise Bohemia Brick Lane Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bikes Brick Lane Gallery, The Brick Lane Thrift Store Buckler Caravan Casa Mexico Chica City Beach Columbia Road Gallery Columbia Pottery Comfort Station Concrete Hermit Cotswold Outdoor Dirty Blonde Dower & Hall Dragana Perisic Duke of Uke Eastside Books EIGHTsq 70 | Page 19 2 2 45 3 40 3 15 3 19 24 55 24 40 4 25 20 46 15 25 41 16 45 4 55 25 41 52 37 16 4 26 26 5 56 37 52 20 38 53 16 20 5 50 50 26 Elemental Ella Doran Evolution Far Folk Forget-Me-Knot Franzè & Evans Fred Bare Frontispiece Future Vintage Glitterati Hair & Jerome Hair by John Handmade Interiors Hostem Hunky Dory Hurwundeki Idonia van der Bijl In Spitalfields Jakss John Lester Hair Systems Jones Dairy Junky Styling Keep Zero Gravity Keeping House La Maison Labour and Wait Laden Showroom, The Laird of Glencairn Lapin & Me Larache Lazy Ones, The LCD Surf Store Leila’s Shop Lesley Davy Gallery lik + neon Lollipop Shoppe, The Lulu and Lush Luna and Curious Mags & Pye MARMARCo. Mendoza Menu, The Metropolis Furniture Co. Milagros MILK Concept Boutique Mimi Mollie Sugden Hairdressing Montezuma’s Mundo 27 27 46 27 6 51 42 21 51 6 21 56 56 28 6 17 17 46 28 7 57 42 7 8 28 29 29 8 21 47 30 8 53 42 38 9 30 9 22 9 30 10 10 31 47 31 22 57 43 47 | 71 Museum of Childhood My Robot Friends Nelly Duff Nicolerenee Nom Oh Baby London Olga de Polga Onedeko Open House L’Orangerie Pimps & Pinups Poetry in Wood Pot Luck Powder Room, The Precious Prick Your Finger Real World Gallery Red Mud Hut, The Rocket Gallery Rockafella Rough Trade East Russell Roberts Shop, The Shop 172 Son of a Stag Source Spa London Speedie’s StART SPACE Stoned & Plastered Suck and Chew Sunspel Supernice Tatty Devine Taylor Taylor TeaSmith Therapy This Shop Rocks Timberland Boot Company Timuna Sea Traffic People Treacle Two Columbia Road Unto This Last Verde & Co Vintage Emporium Vintage Heaven Vision Hair WAWA Whitechapel Bell Foundry Wood ’n’ Things 72 | 48 48 38 10 32 11 11 32 33 23 58 48 33 58 11 49 39 53 33 12 51 34 18 12 12 23 59 17 39 54 43 13 34 23 59 43 13 18 14 54 14 44 35 35 44 18 35 59 36 49 49